How to unscrew a rusty bolt or nut? What tool is suitable for unscrewing broken parts: how to unscrew a bolt with torn edges How to unscrew a rusted water pump fastening bolt

Petr Ryzhkov

Auto mechanic, Moscow region

I constantly come across bolts whose quality causes their edges to break off. Nowadays it is also rare to find high quality tools, so the problem often becomes doubly relevant. Help, how to unscrew a bolt or nut with broken edges?

How to unscrew a bolt or nut with broken edges?

Working with any mechanisms, as well as all kinds of construction and repair tricks, involves repeated tightening and unscrewing of various nuts, bolts and other similar stuff. It would seem that there is nothing complicated about it. However, quite often in the process of repairs, rebuilding and alterations, as with any repair of equipment, it turns out that some bolts or nuts have had their edges torn off for a long time, and it is now extremely difficult, if not completely impossible, to unscrew them using conventional methods. What to do in this case, how to unscrew a bolt or nut with torn edges?

Option one, the simplest

Instead of immediately reaching for the big guns, it's worth trying something a little more innocuous. You need to use a metal brush to clean the jammed connection, drop a little kerosene or diesel fuel and wait fifteen minutes (or even longer). If you are lucky, then with a spanner in your hands you will be able to unscrew a bolt or nut with torn edges. If not, well, there are other ways. You can try to simply tap the ill-fated object (but not too hard!).

Option two, brutal

How to unscrew a bolt or nut with broken edges? Perhaps the easiest way is to try to unscrew the affected objects with a gas wrench. It has a much more powerful clamp than other tools, so it can hold even perfectly smooth and round objects. True, success requires a place that is open and easily accessible. Otherwise, the dimensions of the wrench simply will not allow you to get close to the nut or bolt.

Option three, technologically advanced

In those equally frequent cases when a gas wrench will not help, and the nut (or bolt) is quite large, an angle grinder will come to the rescue. You just need to adapt and cut a few new edges, only slightly smaller in size than the bolt or the same nut. Four of these newly cut edges will be enough; there is no need to try and cut out all six. Well, after that the nut (and bolt) can be easily unscrewed with a socket or a spanner wrench (it is not recommended to touch an open-end wrench). You can also restore the edges using a file, although this, of course, takes more time.

Option four, folk

If the first two methods cannot help, you can take up a chisel and a folk instrument, a hammer. True, they are more useful for nuts (in the case of bolts, success is not guaranteed). With precise tangential blows, the damaged nut is cut from one side and then unscrewed in a counterclockwise direction. Usually this is how you get the fasteners off the ground.

Option five, with a pin

In principle, you can try drilling a small hole in the head and hammering a faceted pin bent into the letter “g” into it. And just pull the damaged bolt out.

Option six, with welding

How to unscrew a bolt or nut with broken edges? By means of ordinary welding. It is enough to weld a new nut (or rod) onto an already damaged head or a broken nut, and then unscrew it. This method is ideal for all small objects, small things, for example, broken screws on the lid of a computer, laptop, or mobile phone. But instead of welding, you need to use superglue.

Option seven, final

In that unfortunate case, when you have no luck and none of the above methods helped, and a damaged nut or bolt with broken edges has not budged, despite all the titanic efforts, there is only one way out. But these, alas, are extreme measures. So, you need to use a chisel and a hammer to break off the nut (by hitting the hammer several times hard on the one attached to to the right place chisel) cut into pieces, and only then proceed to disassemble the entire connection. True, after this you will have to replace not only the damaged nut, but also the bolt (if it was still intact). But the problem will be solved.

With these tips you can easily unscrew a rusty bolt or nut!

Is it possible unscrew the problematic bolt or rusty nut without resorting to emergency measures? Car enthusiasts know this issue best. They are the ones who most often encounter similar situations and can give useful advice, sharing successful experiences and recipes from their own arsenal of remedies. Let's consider the available options.

Lever arm

This is the first thing you can do if you need to unscrew a rusty nut or capricious bolt. Used as a lever device steel pipe, put on the key. You should first go over the fasteners and around them thoroughly with a brush with metal bristles. Use better spanner wrench, but in a pinch, carob will do. Everything needs to be done carefully. The main thing is not to overdo it. Excessive force is unacceptable, as the result may be a torn bolt head, licked nut ribs or a broken key.

Chisel

Here we are not talking about simply cutting off a rusty nut or the head of a tight bolt. With a chisel and one sharp blow of a hammer, you can tear stubborn fasteners out of the tenacious embrace of rust. To do this, you need to point the chisel closer to the edge of the bolt or nut at an angle in the direction opposite to the thread, and then strike sharply and firmly with a hammer. Using similar technology, experienced craftsmen With one blow they masterfully rip off any, sometimes the most hopeless nut or bolt. Of course, you still need to grow to such professionalism, but the method works.

Tapping

This operation, which does not require special skills and deep knowledge of theoretical mechanics, can be either a solution to the problem or preparatory stage to solve the problem of unscrewing a rusty bolt or nut. Anyway two or three sharp blow hammering the fastener through a non-ferrous metal attachment will not cause any damage. This action will help destroy oxide layers and make the task much easier.

Loosening

Perhaps, during the process of unscrewing, a rusty bolt or an unruly nut has already moved along the thread by a couple of microns, but this moment, of course, cannot be noticed. Therefore, you need to try to tighten the fasteners even more and try to loosen them again. This technique allows you to destroy oxide formations and, gradually loosening, unwind threaded connection.

Warming up

You should try to achieve the desired result by heating the capricious fasteners. Anything goes here - gas-burner, soldering iron, pocket lighter. You can even use one soaked in gasoline or other flammable liquid rags, but this should be done carefully, following safety rules. Without waiting for the old nut or rusty bolt head to cool down, you need to try to unscrew them. The best choice for these purposes is not an open-end wrench, but a box or socket wrench. If you don’t succeed the first time, you can try combining techniques - tapping well, loosening, using a lever.

WD-40

“Spray it with Vedashka” - this is how any garage will respond to a complaint about a problematic bolt or capricious nut. And they will be absolutely right. The best remedy haven't figured it out yet. Its exact recipe remains a mystery, but it is known for certain that the liquid consists of 50% white spirit. To unscrew soured fasteners, you first need to open access to the threads by treating the area around the bolt or nut with a wire brush, and then generously fill the fasteners with “magic” liquid, spraying it from a spray can. After 15-20 minutes you can try to unscrew it. This remedy is really effective and almost always helps.

Gasoline, kerosene, turpentine and others

Unfortunately, WD-40 is not always at hand, and buying a can because of one rusty nut or bolt is not a good idea. The best decision from a savings point of view. Therefore, it is worth trying some petroleum products - from white spirit to turpentine. All of them have high penetrating power and are solvents. This property will help in the event of a threaded connection becoming clogged with dirt of various natures. The procedure is standard - the area around the fastener is cleaned and filled with kerosene, diesel fuel, or gasoline. After 10-15 minutes, when the liquid penetrates deep into the thread, you can try to twist the bolt or nut.

Vinegar

A rusty bolt or nut that does not want to be unscrewed will be helped to “return to obedience” table vinegar. To do this, wet the area of the threaded connection with vinegar and wait 15 to 30 minutes. If time is not limited, then you can simply cover the fasteners with a rag soaked in vinegar. In a couple of hours, vinegar will thoroughly undermine the rust and weaken the adhesion of the mating surfaces in the fasteners. After such a “compress”, the rusty bolt or nut will at first reluctantly, and then become easier and easier to unscrew.

Coca-Cola

This is not a joke for people far from technology, and not news for specialists. Coca-Cola contains orthophosphoric acid, which is effectively used in production for degreasing, soldering, and cleaning. metal surfaces from rust. The procedure is still the same. The fasteners are cleaned and watered with fashionable “fizzy water”. In the meantime, while the problematic bolt or nut is soaking, there is time to think about what kind of crap some of us drink with pleasure, considering it almost an elixir of health.

Rust converter

Such products are made on the basis of acids that destroy iron oxide. To use them effectively, it is better to moisten a piece of rag in the converter, cover the bolt or nut being unscrewed with it and leave it for several hours. Before doing this, it is advisable to degrease the fasteners well with gasoline, kerosene or some other solvent. The converter “breaks” the rust well and the threaded connection unscrews.

Brake fluid

Fresh or already used - it doesn’t matter, the brake fluid helps a lot. It has a high penetrating and lubricating ability, and therefore, if necessary, you can safely use it to unscrew a rusty nut or a tight, unruly bolt. It’s better, of course, to moisten a piece of rag with brake fluid, cover the soured fasteners and wait an hour or two. During this time, the liquid will seep into the thread and the connection will be easier to unscrew.

Alcohol solution of iodine

We are talking about the idea of an ordinary pharmaceutical alcohol solution of iodine. In this tandem, alcohol, also known as ethylene, and iodine, as an element of the periodic table, equally distribute among themselves the functions of freeing fasteners that have become soured in rust. Alcohol has a high penetrating ability, and iodine interacts with iron oxides and other compounds formed upon contact with external environment. Thus, these two substances weaken the rust, making it easier to free the rusted bolt or nut. To avoid getting your hands dirty and for convenience, it is better to apply iodine to the connection using a syringe.

Why are fasteners needed?

Fastening elements are essential elements mechanical engineering, which are used almost everywhere. The most common fasteners that have threads are:

screws;
bolts;
nuts

A bolt, like a screw, is a rod with a head that has one threaded end. Screws are usually classified into two types:

Installation ones that fix the parts mutually.
Fasteners that are used for detachable connections.

Screw heads can be cross-slotted or single-slotted.

As a rule, this element is necessary if you need to fasten additional element. Often, a machine screw with a countersunk head is used instead of bolts, since the protruding head interferes with some mechanisms.

Most often, screws are used when there is a need to fix parts that have been mounted on shafts or axles.

As for the bolts, they form a connection using threaded hole and nuts.Hex bolthas a head on one side and a screw thread on the other. They are intended for fastening parts that have a small thickness, or if it is necessary to frequently separate elements. That's why it's so important to know how correct unscrew the stuck bolt.

The nuts are fastener with a threaded type structural hole designed to transmit torque. Nuts are produced various shapes, and this depends on the conditions of use.

Reasons for the failure of fasteners

Typically, the reasons why a bolt becomes unusable can be the following:

sticking;
displacement of parts that are held together by bolts;
excessive over-tightening during installation;
use of inappropriate keys;
Uneven efforts during unscrewing.

Preparatory work

Depending on the reason why the bolt does not come off, various preparatory measures may be required.

For example:

Open the bolt joint using a penetrating fluid that is designed to reduce friction. For this purpose, you can use substances such as kerosene, brake fluid or WD-40. To do this, you will need to apply the substance to the connection and leave for about an hour. Only after this time has passed can you begin to unscrew.
Some people use a hammer to tap the bolt, but only so that the existing threads are not damaged.
You can try to slightly heat the element that has become stuck using a burner. This procedure causes the resulting dirt and rust to burn off, after which the metal of the bolt becomes more pliable.

Experts, answering the question,how to unscrew a screw with stripped edges, they say that this is done in absolutely the same way.

How to unscrew a bolt with broken edges

Once all preparation procedures are completed, you can begin extraction, buthow to unscrew a bolt with broken edges? First of all, for this you need to purchase everything necessary tools. In order to implement your plans, you can use the following methods:

Take a gas wrench, but it is only good if the space allows it. It is possible to use a gas wrench not only on bolts that have a surface with edges, but also on cylindrical bolts when the threads are completely stripped.
A damaged bolt can also be removed using spanners, which have different heads for torn edges. In this case, you will need to select the proper size of the head, otherwise it will not be possible to unscrew it.

Important! The longer the key, the easier it will be to unscrew the fastener.

If using the methods described above does not produce results, then you can resort to other methods.

How to unscrew a screw with a screwdriver

Often the situation with bolts and screws confuses the owner, because not everyone knowshow to unscrew a bolt if it won't come out.

When there is practically no access, you can make a notch with a chisel or grinder. After this manipulation, unscrewing the bolt with a screwdriver will be quite simple.

Although in some cases this does not give the desired result, then you can take the same screwdriver, placing it at an angle, and lightly tap it. But this must be done so that the bolt begins to rotate.

To the question how to unscrew a hexagon with torn edges, experts say that this fastener can be removed using the following methods:

Using a needle file, which will help you get the size for the hexagon.
Using a TORX sprocket, but it is important that it is of the proper size.
A screwdriver that can be used if you first make an even notch.
Using an extractor that screws into the hex hole.

Internal sprocket or hex bolt

It can be unscrewed using the following methods:

A flat-head screwdriver, but in this case you will need to make a notch with a grinder or a hacksaw. This must be done so that the cut has clear vertical walls, otherwise the screwdriver will jump off.
A TORX sprocket, which should not fit into the hole with splines, but should not be larger given size. She must cut through the cap and fit tightly into it. Next, you should unscrew the bolt jerkily, because otherwise the slot may break.
Using a drill, drill and extractors. To carry out the unscrewing procedure, you will need to drill a hole in the center and drive the extractor there the right size. After this, use pliers to unscrew the element. The unscrewing procedure using an extractor is very simple, since it has a thread that is opposite to the thread.
A drill with a left-hand rotation or reverse drill, the diameter of which is smaller than the deformed bolt. To carry out this procedure you will need to drill thin drill a small hole and only then insert a left-hand drill. Naturally, now the drill will need to be set to intensive rotation mode.

Attention! You cannot use an asterisk that has a hole in the center, as they will break when driven in.

How to unscrew a hex bolt

This fastener can be easily unscrewed in the following ways:

Using the above asterisk.
Using a file that makes the proper size for a hexagon.
A screwdriver, but before that, just like in the previous options, you will need to make an even notch.
An extractor, the method of use of which has already been described.

How to unscrew an asterisk bolt with torn edges

To achieve your plans, you need to knowhow to unscrew the sprocket bolt. After all, unscrewing such a fastening element is possible in the same ways as indicated above:

After making the cut, simply unscrew the bolt using a flat-head screwdriver.
Using an adjustable wrench, which is used to crimp the part.
Using an extractor.

How to unscrew a bolt with special equipment

The bolts are unscrewed using the most various devices, and this will allow drill out the bolt without damaging the thread, For example:

keys;
screwdriver;
pneumatic impact wrench;
ratchet.

But often it is not possible to solve the problem using the methods listed above, and then others will come to the rescuetools for unscrewing broken bolts:

Thin open-end wrenches, but they are absolutely not suitable in the case of rusty or stuck bolts, as this breaks off the edges.
Impact wrench.
Socket wrenches, which are more applicable, since they cover the head of the product more tightly.
Welding equipment.
Hexagonal socket wrench, which is less likely to cause edge breakage.
Air impact wrench.
A multiplier that allows you to apply more force to a stuck bolt.
Screwdriver with large handle.
Clamping tool.
Set of extractors.
A hairpin driver that is perfect for products that have a high head.

Working with a set of extractors

Initially, you will need to mark the center, which requires a center punch and a hammer. A pilot hole is then drilled to be used by the extractor.

Attention!In this case, it is important that the axis is not displaced, and the depth of this hole should be no more than three diameters of the drill used.

The extractor will need to be inserted into the hole and slightly tapped to make the fixation more reliable. Only then can you use a tap to screw in the extractor. Working with it is quite simple, since after the extractor enters the product all the way, the product will begin to turn out.

Working with welding equipment

Ifthe bolt broke, how to unscrew itwithout damaging the equipment itself? Most quick way- this is to use welding.

To do this, take a nut of a suitable size and weld it to the broken part, but only with inside. After this, the product can simply be unscrewed from the fastening element using a wrench.

Welding equipment makes it possible to unscrew a screw or bolt that has a broken head or torn edges.

In a situation where the head is torn off, it is necessary to melt a small amount of metal onto the remaining part, then put a regular nut on it and weld it.

Unscrewing with a wrench

Unfortunately, use this tool impossible if the head of the fastener has been torn off.How to unscrew a licked bolt, described in another paragraph. To unscrew it with a wrench, you need to put a suitable attachment on it. The unscrewing process itself occurs due to the impact mechanism of the wrench.

The impact wrench itself is a device that facilitates the process of assembling and disassembling bolt-nut connections. It is very convenient if wrench cannot be used.

Once the impact wrench is started, power is supplied to the motor, which transfers power to the gearbox, which causes the chuck to function. Almost all devices that are designed to unscrew nuts have a special spring that allows the chuck to rotate back. This fact makes it possible to use the impact wrench not only in mechanical engineering, but also in many other fields of activity.

The situation often arises thatThe bolt won't come off, what should I do?in that case, if there are no special skills? There are several simple tips, which make it easier to unscrew the fastener:

In order to carry out this procedure faster, the element should be preheated.
How to unscrew a bolt with stripped threads? In this case, you can use a hex key.
While working, you can use acetone or oil for lubrication.
Using a drill with a reverse thread can greatly facilitate the process.
If no special tools If you don't have it at hand, you can use a core and a hammer. To do this, the first one should be positioned at an angle of forty-five degrees and hit with a hammer, but only counterclockwise.
If you cannot unscrew the element, you will need to drill larger hole and cut the thread again.

How to unscrew a broken nut

In order to implement your plans, you need to knowhow to unscrew a nut with broken edges. Although it's not easy, you can use a few tips from the experts:

You will need a metal brush to clean the jammed joint. A small amount of kerosene or diesel fuel should be dropped into this place and wait twenty minutes. After this, using a spanner, unscrew the nut.
You can tap the nut, but do not use too much force.
Using a gas wrench, as it has a stronger clamp and can be used to unscrew even round objects.
An angle grinder, which is used to cut new edges, will cope well with this problem.
At home, they often use a chisel and a hammer, with which they cut the non-working nut and then unscrew it.

All the methods described above for removing a rusted, deformed or stuck bolt will be within the capabilities of any owner. And the listed tools and equipment can be purchased at any hardware store. It is important that you do not use too much effort during disassembly; it is better to understand the cause of the problem and eliminate it.

If you opened this article, it means that the strong words are behind you, you pulled yourself together and decided to find answers to the questions: “What to do if a bolt is stuck? How can I unscrew it? Let's try to figure out this problem.

The bolt is stuck: how to unscrew it?

Repair is difficult, replacement of spare parts is complicated by metal corrosion or hydrated iron hydroxide for a trivial reason. For example, during installation at the factory or previous repairs, unscrupulous craftsmen ignored treatment with lubricants (Movil or grease). As a result of operation, water got under the threads. It caused the surface of the bolt and nut to loosen, locking them tightly together with a new molecular compound. Each car enthusiast will choose a suitable method for working with a stuck bolt or use a combination of the methods proposed in this article. Therefore, let's look at some of them.

Using solvents

There are no hopeless situations. take on cutting tool early until you know what to do if a bolt is stuck. Any car enthusiast has several liquids in his arsenal that have the ability to fight rust. The first product in the line of solvents that most likely comes to mind is WD-40. This is an aerosol that is capable of penetrating its components into micro-gaps and dissolving rust. If this option is not available, then in almost every garage there are such products as antifreeze, brake fluid, white spirit, kerosene, Coca-Cola, and in extreme cases you can take ethylene glycol. You need to be very careful with the last substance. Protect the mucous membrane of the eyes and respiratory tract.

Moisten the nut with the selected liquid by wrapping it with a rag previously soaked in the same solution. Then it is necessary to leave all this for some time for the substance to penetrate into microcracks. Next, by tapping the bolt or nut, you can destroy the softened rust. After this you can start unscrewing. It is worth noting that if a bolt or stud is screwed into the housing vertically (even if it is down and filled with solvent), it is not so easy to unscrew them. But still, you should not underestimate the capillary capacity of liquids, especially in the loose environment of rust. All you have to do is find a way to secure the rag to the stud or bolt head. And also follow the already proposed path.

When repairing the chassis of a car, you can often encounter a problem when a bolt on the strut has become stuck. What to do? Mostly Bottom part the front pillars are mounted in a glass. Therefore, the solvent can be poured directly into it. It is important here not to damage the rubber bands on the stands, since the chemistry can react with them and dissolve them. Then you will have to change the racks too.

Thermal method

If the proposed option with a solvent does not give results, then it is worth trying thermal method. By heating a nut screwed onto a bolt, you can enlarge the product. In this case, there will be a chance to rip it off. If the bolt is located in the housing, this option can also be used. Heating the product will slightly change the structure of the rust, and the chance of unscrewing an already cooled bolt will increase. For heat treatment You can use a gas burner. However, acquiring the skill to operate such equipment is not so easy. It takes time. A travel gas burner can be an excellent alternative. It costs less and is easier to manage. It should be noted that during operation it is necessary to strictly follow safety rules to avoid fire.

Another chance to save the product’s life is to sharply freeze the bolt with a special spray. However, only professionals use it. In everyday life, its use is unprofitable, since the substance is quite expensive. There is no point in purchasing it to unscrew several bolts.

Mechanical method

It is also important to approach the methods of unscrewing nuts and bolts with ingenuity. We use the “do no harm” principle. So, the bolt stuck. How to unscrew it? Doing this with a simple open-end wrench is fraught with abrasions on the hands and “licked” edges of the product. A spanner wrench is more suitable for this. It will preserve the edges and help create more force when unscrewing. Applying pressure on the key, even with a lever, should be done gradually, increasing the amplitude (as if rocking and destroying the rust).

Let's look at one more mechanical method. We use it for situations where both temperature and chemical substances powerless. If the bolt cannot be unscrewed from the body, you can try tapping it. We do this as the thread rotates using a chisel, as if rotating it.

If this procedure does not lead to success, the bolt can be drilled out. What does it look like? We use a drill of a slightly smaller diameter than the product, so as not to spoil the thread. But even if this happens, you should not be upset. The thread can be corrected with a tap.

And you need to know this too

It’s a completely different matter when the camber bolt is stuck directly in the silent block. At first glance, removing it may seem like an insurmountable task. But not for us. If you decide to change the silent block, but the bolt prevents you from carrying out this action, a proven method will come to the rescue. You will need an angle machine with a thin disc (125 mm), possibly a hacksaw and, oddly enough, a hammer drill. The use of the first two tools is clear and logical. But it is the hammer drill that can provide an invaluable service in pushing out the bolt. There is a possibility that the bolt will rest against the body when removed. Therefore, as regrettable as it may be, its further extraction will take place in parts. By sawing off small pieces with a hacksaw and pushing out the remains of the product with a blunt drill, you can free the pendant.

So we looked at several options for what to do when a bolt gets stuck. How to unscrew it? Now this is not a problem for you.

The bolt is stuck: how to unscrew it?

Using solvents

There are no hopeless situations. It’s too early to take on a cutting tool until you know what to do if a bolt gets stuck. Any car enthusiast has several liquids in his arsenal that have the ability to fight rust. The first product in the line of solvents that most likely comes to mind is WD-40. This is an aerosol that is capable of penetrating its components into micro-gaps and dissolving rust. If this option is not available, then in almost every garage there are such products as antifreeze, brake fluid, white spirit, kerosene, Coca-Cola, and in extreme cases you can take ethylene glycol. You need to be very careful with the last substance. Protect the mucous membrane of the eyes and respiratory tract.

When repairing the chassis of a car, you can often encounter a problem when a bolt on the strut has become stuck. What to do? Basically, the lower part of the front pillars is mounted in a glass. Therefore, the solvent can be poured directly into it. It is important here not to damage the rubber bands on the stands, since the chemistry can react with them and dissolve them. Then you will have to change the racks too.

Thermal method

If the proposed option with a solvent does not give results, then it is worth trying the thermal method. By heating a nut screwed onto a bolt, you can enlarge the product. In this case, there will be a chance to rip it off. If the bolt is located in the housing, this option can also be used. Heating the product will slightly change the structure of the rust, and the chance of unscrewing an already cooled bolt will increase. For heat treatment, you can use a gas burner. However, acquiring the skill to operate such equipment is not so easy. It takes time. A travel gas burner can be an excellent alternative. It costs less and is easier to manage. It should be noted that during operation it is necessary to strictly follow safety rules to avoid fire.

Mechanical method

Let's consider another mechanical method. We use it for situations where both temperature and chemicals are powerless. If the bolt cannot be unscrewed from the body, you can try tapping it. We do this as the thread rotates using a chisel, as if rotating it.

And you need to know this too

So we looked at several options for what to do when a bolt gets stuck. How to unscrew it? Now this is not a problem for you.